Why Faith is more important than knowledge in preventing teenage anemia

Teenage anaemia remains a serious public health problem with far-reaching consequences such as stunting and low birth weight of offspring, as well as cognitive impairment and reduced academic performance. A comprehensive understanding of the behavioural factors that influence the behaviour of teenage girls is essential to address this issue. In order to uncover the complex pathways influencing anaemia prevention behaviour, this editorial highlights the value of incorporating the Health Belief Model (HBM), a recognised theoretical framework that explains how individual beliefs and perceptions influence health behaviours, into a path-oriented approach. By looking at concepts such as perceived vulnerability, importance, benefits and barriers, as well as action cues and self-efficiencies, this approach provides important information for designing targeted and well-informed interventions. By emphasising the psychological aspects of healthy behaviour, the HBM provides a strong basis to enable young people to adopt and maintain behaviours that reduce the risk of anaemia, ultimately leading to improved personal and social healthTeenage anaemia remains a serious public health problem with far-reaching consequences such as stunting and low birth weight of offspring, as well as cognitive impairment and reduced academic performance. A comprehensive understanding of the behavioural factors that influence the behaviour of teenage girls is essential to address this issue. In order to uncover the complex pathways influencing anaemia prevention behaviour, this editorial highlights the value of incorporating the Health Belief Model (HBM), a recognised theoretical framework that explains how individual beliefs and perceptions influence health behaviours, into a path-oriented approach. By looking at concepts such as perceived vulnerability, importance, benefits and barriers, as well as action cues and self-efficiencies, this approach provides important information for designing targeted and well-informed interventions. By emphasising the psychological aspects of healthy behaviour, the HBM provides a strong basis to enable young people to adopt and maintain behaviours that reduce the risk of anaemia, ultimately leading to improved personal and social health

Keywords:

perinatal loss , fetal loss , grief , perceived causes , contributory conditions , social norms , cultural belief.